Sketches of

 

Harrisonburg

 

1840 – 1940

 

 

Sketches of Harrisonburg

 

1840-1940

 

By Kirby S. “Tommy” Bassford

Copyright Eric Thornton & Tim Bassford

 

 

Probably the oldest character in the “First ten years of Harrisonburg” was Thomas Bassford, who came here in 1840, about ten years before Harrisonburg was incorporated as a town. In 1842 he married Amanda, the daughter of Geo. Secrist, a veteran of the war of 1812. He enlisted in the Civil War and served as a courier on the staff of Gen E. Kirby Smith.

After the Christmas fire of 1870, he was sent to Richmond and purchased the hand-pumper “Rescue,” later the “Independent,” and after adding the hook and ladder truck, formed the first organized fire department. He was appointed to keep the apparatus in order, as well the .street lighting system which was large kerosene burning lamps set on locust posts.

There were four Sprinkel families: St. Clair, Nelson, Gambill, and Silas. St. Clair's home was “The Cedars.” He was the father of Mrs. Jas. H. Dwyer, and Henry Sprinkel, Who was town treasurer for some time. Nelson's home was on the corner of Main and Rock. His son Charles was depot agent for the B. & O. R. R. Later he formed the firm of Charles Sprinkel & Son. His wife was Miss Sallie Carter. Three children survive: W. N., Dr. Carter, and Mrs. Jas. Warren.

Crawford Strayer was cashier of the old First National Bank, located in the corner of the Warren House. Later the rooms were used as the office of James and Frank Harris, dentists. The Strayer home was on Plank Row (East Market). Mrs. Juliet Strayer was the mother of Henry and Ernest, who became leading lawyers. She was called the Mother of the Old Harrisonburg Guards, of which John Donivan was Captain. The company took part in the Yorktown Celebration in 1887. James Hay, who was Lieutenant, moved to Rappahannock and was later elected to Congress.

Joseph Smith was Editor of the “Old Commonwealth,” associated with him was James Dulaney, Who went to Menlo Park, New Jersey, and was said to have been the guiding mind in many of Edison's inventions.

James L. Avis was the pioneer druggist and come here in 1869. His father, John, was sheriff of Jefferson County, Va., and was prominent in the capture, trial and conviction of

 

John Brown, the Abolitionist. Jas. L. was the first to build after the fire of 1870.

Two pioneer plasterers were Peter Guyer, and Alexander Logan, whose two sons, Worth and Lee succeeded him. Hugh, son of Worth, and Dan, son of Lee, are well known.

Joseph Dorsey is the oldest stone-contractor in years and service-77 years of age and 55 years in business. He built the foundations of scores of the largest buildings and homes in Harrisonburg.

Dan P. Wine was the pioneer in motion picture shows.

His first was the “Edisonia” on W. Market St., later moved to North Court Square. When the “Virginia” was built, he secured a lease. He was also a veteran R. R. Postal clerk, and with Frank Sublett, was prominent in promoting “Shenandoah Valley, Inc.,” and in the securing of Skyline Drive. His widow and one daughter survive.

The Wartman families lived on the corner of W. Market and German. They were connected with the “Rockingham Register,” a weekly paper. “Harvy” Wartman was very religious and did much to improve the moral standing of the colored citizens.

There were several Harry families, Jewett, Robert, and Eli. The son of one of them is now living, Edgar Eli Harry, and although retired is doing evangelistic work. He resides on E. Market St.

There were three Braithwaites, Jacob, Joseph and Sewel. Jacob and Jos. had a carpenter shop which spanned Blacks Run at the old stone arch bridge. Sewel was the father of the late Chief W. “Al”. His home was on the corner of Wolfe and German.

Across the street lived John Cordell, who came here with the late Philo Bradley and worked in the foundry until his retirement. Two of his sons “Scott” and “Ed”, also worked most of their lives at the foundry. Across the street lived Emanuel Royer, of whose large family two survive: Miss Haddie, here, and Mrs. Nannie Waiters, of Pennsylvania. .

On the corner of Rock and German lived the Magalis family, and on the other side lived John Reamre, while on the corner lived Pendleton Bryan. On the corner of Elizabeth and German lived Judge John C. Woodson, whose family played a prominent part in the affairs of Harrisonburg. Frank G. was mayor; A. Dyer was recorder. R. Lee was assessor over a long period. A daughter, Miss Kate, living in Franklin, W. Va., survive.

Pendleton Bryan studied law and later became a partner in the law firm of Woodson & Bryan. He was mayor for several terms. His wife, Emma Lyon Bryan, was very gifted. She was the author of several books and painted the large painting of Harrisonburg. One son “Tinkey” Allen, survives.

 

There were a number of hotels here: Pollock's The Washington House, Spottswood, Revere House, and Seven Ton. The first modern Hotel was the Clarendon, then the Kavanaugh. The last named was the first hotel to install running water. When the Isaac Paul building was erected on the corner of Market and German streets, the entire upper floors were used as a hotel by Mrs. Hester Effinger. In 1854 John C. Morrison came here from near Stanardsville, Green county. He and a number of his workmen boarded there. Renting one of the old Braithwaite shops, he began making wagons and buggies. In 1859 he purchased the old English style brick residence, across from Paul's, which at one time had been used for the Post Office, and court was held there during the erection of one of the old Court Houses.

In 1869 he built the present large frame building and employed about thirty skilled workmen. His vehicles had a wide reputation in the Valley and in eastern Virginia. It was said he could build a complete buggy himself without help, doing all the iron, steel, wood and paint work. He did this on several occasions. In 1857 he married Miss Henrietta Stivewalt, a member of an old Valley family. Of a family of ten children, four are living: Elizabeth, at home; Mrs. Jennie Hopwood, and Mrs. Henrietta McQuade of Baltimore, and Mrs. T. W. McFadden of Wilkinsburg, Pa.

A brother, Hugh, operated a photograph gallery on the north side of the Square. A daughter, Miss Annie, resides in the home on South Main street, and one son, Hugh J., lives in Woodstock.

William Reherd lived on German street, (now Bear's Auto Parts) and his blacksmith shop was in the rear. One son survives, James, the Confederate Veteran and President of the National Bank. There were 3 other sons, Peter, George, and “Dee.” He moved to his farm and operated a sawmill. Our present “Uncle” Billy Rickard is a son-in-law.

Joseph T. Rohr lived on the corner of Elizabeth and German streets. His shop was between his home and the jail. His brother, Alfred C., was associated with him, and later opened a store in the Thurmond building. His daughter, Ella, married “Jim” Bowman, a traveling salesman for years.

George O. Conrad lived on the corner of Bruce and German streets. Two sons, Ed. and George, Jr., became leading lawyers. On the other corner lived Boliver Ward, connected with the Orange, Alexandria & Manassas Gap R. R. John Messerley lived on the corner of Wolf and German, and his shop was on the adjoining lot. His son, Joseph, was clerk of the Court for a number of years. Next to him was the home of Nevel Logan. Across the street lived Edgar “Tag” Sprinkel, also Rau D. Cushen. In the old stone house lived Davy Ritenour. Noah Carver, a Valley R. R. engineer, lived on the

 

corner, and next to him was the home of N. T. Chase. His son William, and D. C. Coogler, operated a store in the Paul building on the corner of W. Market and German for a time.

About 1878 Joseph and Jacob Snell purchased their business and after several years moved to East Market street. Later, Jacob ran a coal yard and general merchandise store in the old Wm. Tabb property. After the fire, which destroyed the mill and his yard along with three other business houses, he helped form the Merchants Grocery & Hardware Co.

After the Christmas fire of 1870 a large 3-story building was erected by Jacob Sibert on the south-east corner of the Square, and operated a tobacco store. Wm. Loeb & Son and Jonas Lowenbach were in the two other stores. On the Main street side were Thomas Wilkins and B. E. Long.

The O Perry Helphenstein home was on German street in the building now “Ed” Friddle's Bakery. Next to the creek was his tin shop. Two other tinners were Greiner brothers, William and “Pat.”

Samuel and Henry Shacklett operated a large store on “Shacklett's Corner.” Henry's home was on part of the present Court House and Post Office lot, and on the corner was the old Frame Church. To the rear were the homes of Wm. and “Tommy” Harrison, across Federal Alley was the home of “Ed” Sullivan, who was postmaster for a time and was succeeded by his son “Jim”, whose wife was Maggie Price.

Abner Shacklett operated a hardware store on the east side of the square, which later was run by Triber & Son, John P. Burke and Nicholas & Lemley. Frank Nicholas' father, “Abner”, lived on East Market, now the Joe Neilson home, and was Town Sergeant, Justice of the Peace and Notary. He operated a lumber yard and public scales.

The old Ott home stood in the center of a tract of land, now Newman Ave., Franklin Ott, East View, and other streets south of the Cemetery. Three sons were prominent in business affairs: Luther in the drug business, while the two other brothers operated a store on the Ott Corner, now the Rockingham Bank. It was later purchased by Brennan & Southwick, and called “The New York Store.” On the opposite corner Leopold Wise had a store in the old Hardesty building. His two sons, Adolph and Herman, ran the business after his retirement. Herman later built the present building next to the National Bank, and formed the firm of Herman Wise & Sons, with his three sons, Otto, Leon and Julius, who continued the business after his retirement. The building is now owned by B. Bloom, also a retired merchant.

In the corner of the B. Ney lot Samuel Loewner had a marble yard, assisted by two sons, Joseph and Charles. Two children survive, Joseph in Staunton, and Mrs. Charles Hammer. Another daughter was the wife of Samuel Klingstein,

 

 

mother of “Cap”. Later Joe .and Charlie operated a yard at the present location of the Loewner Marble Co. A brother, Lee, had a store, in the Guyer building with Joe. The Guyer building is the site of the old home of Peter and Henry Kelly, shoe makers.

On the site of the Jewish Temple, a blacksmith shop was run by G. P. Jones, and later by a colored man, Joge Huffman. The pioneer baker was “Andy” Feuchtenberger, whose first place of business was on West Market street, later the Methodist Church site, and now Rockingham Motor Co. He moved to the Aaron Wilson building, now the Catholic Church. The old building was moved to the rear, and later remodeled for the Priest Home. Andy moved to the J. D. Price home, now Campbell Hotel.” Five daughters and one son survive.

James Gordon's home was on the corner of N. Main and Rock. His wife was Miss Laura Gay. Ludwig Hirsch's first home was on German street, later moved to Wellman Town, and then to the present home. After his retirement the firm of Hirsch Bros. was formed. Two daughters and four sons survive.

The George Miller home was on the corner of W. Market and German. Levi Cromer's wagon shop was next. His home was across Black's Run in a large one-story log house, which was tom down when the Valley R. R. was built to Staunton. Later John and Henry Snyder purchased the Cromer property. Lee Golden then purchased it and built a large carriage shop. After quite a number of years it was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Wm. Gay lived on the corner of N. Main and Gay. L. A. Funkhouser and Walker Ritter ran a store in the corner for a number of years. Mr. Ritter built the large brick store room on the opposite corner, with his apartment above. Later a handsome home was built on High street. One daughter, Mrs. Charles O'Rouick, survives.

Collicello was the home of Algernon and Jewett Gray, after whose death it was inherited by Miss Annie Gray. It was purchased by Mrs. Mary Lupton, mother of James, who has been a prominent figure in the development of Harrisonburg and Massanetta Springs. There were four other sons, and one daughter, Ida, who married Pinkney Bruffffy. Mrs. Lupton operated a summer boarding place for years, and it was the summer home of a number of families from Baltimore and other cities. Dr. James Harris, who was Dean of the Baltimore Dental College, made Collicello his summer home. It has been remodeled for apartments. Foxhall Daingerfield, who married the daughter of Algernon Gray, lived on the corner of North High and Rock. His barn and stables stood about where Collicello street now is. Across Gay was his race track and pastures. James Keene

 

brother-in-law, made him a present of “Sam Purdy ,” a noted stallion, along with several blooded mares. He established quite a reputation raising fast trotters. Disposing of his property he bought a blue grass farm near Lexington, Kentucky.

Wm. Fallis' home was in the same block. He was superintendent of streets and walks for a number of years. After living for a time in a Southern city, he has retired to his farm.

The Andrew Irick home was at the intersection of South Main and Liberty streets. Later the Samuel R. Sterling home and now, the home of the late John T. Harris, Jr.

The Moffett Newman home, now the Elk's Home, was also owned by Warren S. Lurty and Glenn Alexander. Across Paul street the Julius Sibert home was located, and across, Main the Luther Ott home. Lewis P. Ott, the father of Dulaney, lived on East Market. Next to him was the Joseph Nell home. The Dold home was on the second floor of the large building on the corner of the square and W. Market the opposite corner was the home of the Effinger families. M. had a bookstore on the East Market side. His daughter married Charlie Chandler, who was connected with the First National Bank. At one time there was a long porch along the square. After much litigation it was declared to be on public property and was torn away and a walk put down. John Graham Effinger ran a store on West Market.

D. Woodson was associated with him. M. Harvy Effinger moved to a farm south of town.

Peachy Rice lived on Jail Hill, who in cold weather, always wore a shawl. A niece and nephew were Miss Ella and Thomas Warren. Tom and his father, Rice Warren, operated a State Bank called “The Commercial Bank,” on the corner of Main and Water streets.

The Andrew Hockman home was on Plank Row (East Market), as was also the homes of J. O. A. Cleary, Jno. R. Saum, Strother Jones, Wesley Taliaferro, Jno. K. Smith, Wm. McAllister, the Misses Golidy, Wm. Billhimer, Samuel Upp, Judge James Johnson, James Dutrow, and at the top of the hill, Preacher Reid, the father of the noted Dr. Walter Reid. Walter was born in Glouster County and spent a great part of his boyhood here at what is now known as “Stoneleigh.”

Above the Cemetery on the old Port Republic road was a large vineyard. In the center of which was the home of Adam Werner. Later the home of Jacob Early, father of William.

Charlie Metthews was the pioneer plumber-contractor here. He came here in 1878 and worked in the ironing department of John C. Morrison's carriage factory. When water and sewerage systems were installed he opened a shop near his father-in-law's shop. His wife was Louise, daughter of Gambill Sprinkel. A son, George, in Charleston; Mrs. Chas.